10 December 2018 - Montenegro officially opened negotiations in Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels earlier today.

At the conference, it was stressed that the opening of this chapter is another success for Montenegro and recognition for the intensive work on harmonising domestic legislation with EU regulations and building the necessary administrative capacity.

In his address to the representatives of the member states and the European Commission, Head of the Montenegrin delegation, Foreign Minister Srđan Darmanović, said that Montenegro has opened 32 chapters to date, of which three are closed. Darmanović added that the effort the country is putting in the alignment with the Acquis communautaire testifies to its continued and strong commitment to the European integration process. He believes that by opening the last negotiating chapter in the months ahead, Montenegro will once again confirm its leadership position, but also give a new impetus to the integration process, not only in the country but also in the countries of the region. The goal is to confirm the credibility of the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

Darmanović noted that the opening of Chapter 27 is very important, as the Constitution of 2007 defined Montenegro as an ecological state, dedicated to environmental protection and development based on sustainability principles. He highlighted that the process of European integration is the only framework that guarantees stability in the region and thus in Europe. “That is why we are sure that the presence of the EU in the region and the continuity of the enlargement policy are of fundamental importance for stability, further economic development and the competitiveness of the European continent at a global level," Darmanović concluded.

Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Pavle Radulović stressed that the State is committed to protecting the environment. He said that the Government of Montenegro established the Environmental Protection Fund (Eco Fund) in late November in order to create the legal framework for future investments in the field of environment and climate change.

European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn also spoke at the opening of negotiations in Chapter 27, saying that Montenegro is making a significant step forward on its “European path”. He also welcomed the progress in the rule of law and said that the focus, in the coming period, should be placed on the activities under negotiating chapters 23 and 24. Commissioner Hahn reiterated that the European Commission will continue to support the integration of Montenegro into the EU in terms.

08 December 2018 - Montenegro has received an additional 68.6 million EUR of non-refundable support from the EU and bilateral donors of the West Balkans Investment Framework for the implementation of four investment projects in the area of transport and the environment and the preparation of project documentation for two new projects. 

Additional funds were approved at the nineteenth meeting of the Steering committee of the West Balkan Investment Framework, held in Luxembourg, organized by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. 

Additional non-refundable grants were approved through the fourth call for investment projects and the twentieth call for project preparation, and in the context of the financial support provided by the EU and the bilateral donors of this instrument in the framework of the Berlin Process. 

For the construction of the priority part of the bypass around Budva within the route of the coastal variant of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway, the EU will allocate 42.1 million EUR for works, whose total value will exceed 188 million. By building a priority part of the bypass, road transport in this part of the coastal region will be significantly improved and the problem of traffic jams in the center of Budva will be resolved, especially during the summer months. 

In addition to investing in road transport, the EU has approved the allocation of 16.3 million EUR of non-refundable support for the development of rail transport. In addition to the reconstruction of steel bridges and sections of the railway line Lutovo-Bioče, the project envisages the procurement of three new passenger trains, which will significantly improve the safety, efficiency and comfort of this type of traffic for citizens. An integral part of the project is the reconstruction of workshops and depots for train maintenance in Bar and Nikšić and procurement of new equipment for this purpose. 

In addition to investment projects in the field of transport, 7.7 million EUR of non-refundable support was granted for strengthening infrastructure in the area of environmental protection. With the amount of 4.7 million EUR, the construction of the sewerage system in Risan and Perast will be financed, which will solve the issue of wastewater collection in these coastal areas, which will influence the improvement of the quality of bathing water in the Bay of Kotor. For the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Bijelo Polje 3 million EUR were allocated, which makes almost half of the necessary funds for solving the issue of wastewater treatment in the largest municipality in the north of Montenegro. Support to environmental projects is in line with the EU's commitment to support Montenegro's efforts to improve the environmental protection system in the long term. 

In regard to financial support for the preparation of projects, 1.3 million EUR was approved for the preparation of the necessary documentation for the reconstruction of the railway line from Podgorica to the border with Albania and 1.2 million EUR for the preparation of a project to build a new prison in Mojkovac. 

"Given that the funds are allocated through calls open to all Western Balkan countries, the fact that Montenegro has been granted the most funds this year confirms the ability of the Government and the administration to properly plan investments and infrastructure and prepare projects in accordance with the requirements and EU rules," Deputy Chief Negotiator - National IPA Coordinator Ivana Glišević Đurović said. 

She stressed that the Government will continue to work dedicatedly when it comes to planning investments in infrastructure, that infrastructure projects are among the main priorities of the Government. "I am convinced that the implementation of these projects will be of great importance for everyday life of citizens, but also for intensifying economic growth and development through improving the infrastructure connectivity and creating preconditions for the development of tourism through improvements in the field of environmental protection," Glišević Đurović said. 

On the margins of the meeting, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Katariná Mathernová congratulated on approved projects and expressed willingness to continue the successful cooperation.

08 December 2018 - Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović participates in the 25th OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting, which took place on 6-7th December in Milano, Italy. 

Speaking about the role of the OSCE in strengthening security, Minister Darmanović said that the activities of the organisation and the full respect of the fundamental values of the OSCE are of paramount importance in resolving security challenges. "The current crises just confirm the relevance of the concept of comprehensive OSCE security and show the importance of the role that the OSCE has in providing a single platform for a constructive dialogue on the most important security issues," Darmanović said, pointing out the need for firm commitment to the OSCE's core values – respect for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights and freedoms. 

In the context of the recent use of military force and Russian activities in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, which currently represent the biggest and most serious challenge to European security architecture, Darmanović said that this is another direct consequence of violating the fundamental principles on which the OSCE and the international order are resting. He recalled that Montenegro expressed concern about the incident and joined the calls for de-escalation of tensions. He reiterated that Montenegro fully supports a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the crisis, including the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy format, based on the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in its internationally recognised borders. 

On the margins of the Ministerial Council, Minister Darmanović met with his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi. The two officials welcomed the priorities of the Italian presidency aimed at strengthening the role of the OSCE to reduce conflicts, restore confidence, combat radicalisation, promote good governance, fight corruption, combat intolerance and discrimination, and strengthen structural dialogue. 

Minister Darmanović also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčak, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov.

07 December 2018 - "The Government of Montenegro does not envisage any additional measures of fiscal consolidation other than those established in 2017, but next year we will focus on improving tax environment, further economic growth and employment increase," Minister of Finance Darko Radunović said introducing the 2019 Draft Budget Law, which was adopted last night by the Government. 

By presenting the budget for the next year, the Minister reminded that the Government of Montenegro started the fiscal policy in the past two years with the implementation of the Plan for reduction of the budget deficit and the public debt, supplemented by the Government's 2017-2020 Fiscal Strategy, taking care that they do not slow down the economic growth, nor endanger the socially most sensitive segments of society. 

"The following indicators show that the measures were well balanced: a strong economic growth of 4.7 percent in 2017, and 4.8 percent in the first half of 2018, with a projection of 4.1 percent by the end of the year, an increase in Montenegrin GDP per capita to 46 percent of the EU average and an increase in the number of employees by nearly 11,000 in relation to 2016, the regularity of payment of wages, pensions, social benefits (with the growth of certain categories), strengthening of the international investment position of Montenegro reflected through the improvement of the credit rating and the most successful issue of eurobonds aimed at refinancing part of the public debt, as well as obtaining the World Bank Policy-Based Guarantee, which is also important for refinancing the part of the public debt and establishing its declining trend," the Minister of Finance said.

The Minister of Finance expressed the belief that every Montenegrin family had the opportunity to see and feel something from the numerous activities that the Government undertook in an effort to improve the quality of life - either through subsidies from agriculture, scholarship or free education for thousands of students, through the possibility for citizens to take medicine for free that they may have had to pay earlier or more easily travel with time and fuel savings, some of the reconstructed roads through Montenegro. 

Speaking of the proposed budget for 2019, the Minister of Finance and acting General Director of the State Budget Directorate Bojan Paunović stated that budget revenues increased by around 190.7 million as estimated for 2018 (or 12.2 percent compared to 2017); that the budget deficit was reduced from 5.5 percent of GDP in 2017 to an estimated 3.8 percent of GDP in 2018 and that a surplus of current consumption was achieved.

The Minister emphasised that this year we have the largest capital budget in Montenegro since the renewal of independence – 320.93 million EUR and that most of that money is foreseen for the Northern region. 

"The 2018 Draft Budget Law envisages the total amount of receipts and expenditures of EUR 2,384 billion or 50% of GDP. This is less about the rebalance for 2018. The budget for 2019 is characterized by faster revenue growth than expenditures (i.e. controlled expenditure growth and further changes in their structure), thereby reducing the deficit to 142.3 million euros or 2.97 percent of GDP. The current budget spending in 2019 will be fully financed from the original income, and a current consumption surplus of 197 million euros will be generated. This meets one of the basic requirements for fiscal policy planning. Continuing a rational attitude towards budget spending is important. We have achieved an excellent surplus of current consumption this year; I think that we have the opportunity to achieve an even better result next year," Finance Minister Darko Radunović said. 

The Minister, concluding the presentation of the proposed budget for 2019, assessed that its main characteristics are: 

• The growth of original income by 71 million EUR about 2018; 
• Optimization of current budget spending 
• Increasing investments in infrastructure projects through the most significant amount of the Capital Budget since gaining independence (320 million EUR); 
• Increasing allocations for education, sports, agriculture, entrepreneurship; 
• Reducing the need for loans, i.e. reducing the missing funds to 556 million EUR (out of which 180 million EUR refers to deposits already available); 
• The regularity of performing all public functions of the state (payments of pensions, social benefits, etc., with increase according to legal harmonization); 
• Payroll regularity, with an increase in salaries of current public sector employees by 10.9 million EUR. 

"Therefore, the 2019 Draft Budget Law is an expression of economic policy measures aimed at strengthening fiscal stability by implementing fiscal consolidation measures; support of competitiveness and development, as well as the regularity of performing all public functions in order to ensure sustainable growth of the economy, which helps further increase of the living standard of citizens" Minister Radunović concluded. 

07 December 2018 - A person who decides to be the mediation agent to persons applying for obtaining economic citizenship through investments, will have to pay 50.000 EUR for the licence. This was defined by the Government’s decision on the criteria, manner, and procedure of the selection of a person who can gain Montenegrin citizenship.

Licences are valid for one year and can be extended two times, at the request of a mediation agent.

Costs of issuing and extending the licence are borne by the mediation agent who must fulfill the following requirements: responsible person in that legal entity in Montenegro or in some other state hasn’t been sentenced to an unconditional prison sentence that lasted longer than one year, for a criminal offence that is prosecuted ex officio, and that he/she has been performing the same or similar activities in at least three states on the basis of the agreement, i.e. licence, and in at least one EU Member State.

Starting from the 1st January 2019, and in the next three years, maximum of 2.000 investors will be able to obtain Montenegrin citizenship.

An applicant for economic citizenship must deposit 450.000 EUR for the projects that are being implemented at the south of the state or in the Capital, 250.000 EUR for the projects in the north and central part of the state, and 100.000 EUR intended for the development of less developed areas.

Deposit for administration process per applicant amounts 15.000 EUR  and 10.000 EUR for every member of their family. If the family counts more than five members, 50.000 EUR tax is paid for each one.

The decision on economic citizenship was rendered with the aim of enhancing the economic development of the state and attracting investments.

Back in October, it was estimated that economic citizenship would bring more than 1 billion EUR to Montenegro. Read more about this here.

08 December 2018 - Porto Montenegro was awarded recognition at this year’s prestigious regional CIJ Awards for Serbia and Southeast Europe, with successes across three categories: Best Lux Residential Development, Best Overall Residential Development, and Best Marketing & PR Campaign of the Year. Competing against some strong real estate candidates in the region, Porto Montenegro managed to secure the most significant and best-ranked nominations, as voted by a network of members and partners of CIJ, the CEE & SEE Europe’s Real Estate businesses.

The Porto Montenegro marina village features contemporary chic residences with architecture inspired by the Italian Riviera, ideally suited to the surroundings of the Bay of Kotor. The residences offer studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations and luxury penthouses, roof terraces and infinity pool podiums with spectacular views of one of the most beautiful bays in the world, as well as a stunning backdrop of Mount Lovćen. These are all factors that make Porto Montenegro one of the most prestigious addresses on the Montenegrin coast, with 290 completed residential units and a total of 410 anticipated in summer 2019, commented National PR Manager at Porto Montenegro, Kristina Skanata.

These awards serve as an acknowledgment to the investors, team of architects and interior designers, and all partner companies involved in the construction of the development. Above all, we are particularly proud to have received the award for the Best Marketing & PR Campaign of the Year. This tells us that we’ve succeeded in promoting a positive image of Porto Montenegro throughout the region, as well as promoting the Tivat Riviera and Montenegro as a destination, she added.

The third CIJ Awards Serbia/SEE took place in Belgrade this week at the Hyatt hotel with a multinational crowd on hand to cheer on the winners. The region has been the focus of an increasing level of investment into real estate, including industrial, retail and residential projects. The results of this wave of investment is now making itself felt in the country with increasing numbers of high-quality projects hitting the market, commented Robert Fletcher, General Manager of CIJ.

The CIJ Awards is a coveted annual awards ceremony for the real estate industry across South East Europe organized by CIJ EUROPE, the leading real estate news provider across North to South East Europe. CIJ EUROPE was founded in 1994.

Read more about the CIJ Awards Ceremony and Porto Montenegro here.  

06 December 2018 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović participated in a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. 

On the first day, the NATO foreign ministers adopted the Joint Statement on violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. 

They also discussed the most important issues related to Euro-Atlantic security, including the relations with Russia, the safety of the Alliance's southern borders and the implementation of the Framework for the South, as well as the strategic stability and the response to security challenges. 

A special session was held with the foreign ministers of Georgia and Ukraine to discuss the security situation in the region, as well as possible forms of support and cooperation of the Alliance in the reform processes and strengthening of defence capacities. 

On the second day of the meeting, a session on the Western Balkans was held in the light of recent developments in the region, as well as a discussion on the Euro-Atlantic perspective in line with the conclusions of the July NATO Summit. 

Minister Darmanović emphasised the importance that Montenegro, as a Mediterranean state and ally, attaches to the stability of the southern partners and opposes the challenges from the south. Regarding the open door policy, he stressed Montenegro's full support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans and the conclusions of the July NATO Summit on Macedonia's accession to NATO. He also highlighted the importance of today's decision on the readiness of the Alliance to accept the Annual National Program (ANP) of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

In this context, he informed about the support of Montenegro to Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as an openness towards other countries that show readiness. Minister Darmanović reiterated the importance of NATO's visibility and presence in the region and the same understanding of the Allies on the security of the Western Balkans, as well as the importance of maintaining the open door policy on the Alliance's agenda. Minister Darmanovic stressed that Montenegro would continue engaging in Afghanistan. 

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Darmanović met with Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejčinović Burić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Miro Cerar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Anders Samuelsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Ekaterina Zaharieva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Ditmir Bushati and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Ine Eriksen Søreide.

05 December 2018 - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System Milutin Simović hosted the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, headed by Committee Chairman Volkan Bozkir.

DPM Simović said that, as co-chairmen of the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of Turkey, he always looks forward to meeting partners and friends from Turkey. He recalled the very successful 4th session of the Mixed Commission, which took place in Ankara in November 2017, the agreements that were signed on that occasion, as well as numerous meetings at a high level that took place in a spirit of friendship and sincere cooperation.

He also pointed out that the harmonisation of the new free trade agreement testifies to the friendship between the two countries. This agreement will represent a new momentum in the economic and trade relations between Montenegro and Turkey, Deputy Prime Minister Simović said, adding that business people have long recognised the key sectors and directions of cooperation and that the two governments need to make efforts to revive the agreements they have signed.

By the same token, DPM Simović called on the parliaments of both countries to ratify the agreements that have been signed.

After thanking DPM Simović on warm reception, Mr. Bozkir emphasised that Turkey attaches great importance to Montenegro, which can set a good example to many countries for the multi-ethnic and multireligious harmony and coexistence.

"We see Montenegro as an honest ally in NATO, but also as a friend with whom it has built solid bridges of friendship," Mr Bozkir stressed. This is confirmed by the visit of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, in full composition and with the representatives of all parliamentary parties, said Mr. Bozkir.

DPM Simović and Chairman of the Committee Bozkir agreed that the current level of economic and trade relations between Montenegro and Turkey, which is at a satisfactory level, with very positive trends, does not show real opportunities. Tourism, industry, agriculture, wood processing, and direct investment have been highlighted as fields in which it is necessary to maximise potentials. Bearing this in mind, Bozkir suggested that the next session of the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of Turkey will take place in Turkey as quickly as possible and invited Deputy Prime Minister Simović to be the guest of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on that occasion.

04 December 2018 - Even though winter is just around the corner, the weather in Montenegro manages to impress even the locals. Chilly days filled with sunshine are lining up, almost ideal for a day trip to one of the coastal cities of Montenegro! Half-Day Private Tour of Perast & Kotor is a perfect way to spend your day, taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions before the winter catches up.

Enjoy a 4-hour tour of the most beautiful bay in the Adriatic. Visit the Baroque town of Perast with the islet Our Lady of the Rocks. Take a walking tour in the medieval town of Kotor. This tour will provide you with a chance to see the best part of Bay of Kotor, one of the gems of the Mediterranean. You will visit the Baroque town of Perast, a small place with a rich history.

There, you will have a short boat ride to the island Our Lady of the Rocks to visit the church with a museum. According to legend, the island was created over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding an icon of the Madonna and Child on July 22, 1452. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the bay and, over time, the island gradually emerged from the water. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive today. After the tour there, you will head back to Perast to have a short walk and some free time.

Head back to Kotor, a UNESCO site and a well-preserved medieval fortified city. Take a walking tour of the old town there and see the 12th century St. Tryphon Cathedral, its narrow streets, and palaces unfold before your eyes. In Kotor, you will definitely want to investigate the tremendously rich history of the town on tour with a professional guide.

The tour includes private transportation with a comfortable car/ van, licensed English-speaking professional guide, taxi boat tickets, museum entrance fees and Old town Kotor entrance fees and maps. The ticket does not cover your meals and drinks.

Discover the pearls of Bay of Kotor including Perast and Kotor Old Town on a sightseeing tour of Montenegro, ideal for those with limited time, especially cruise ship passengers. Learn the legend of the Our Lady of the Rocks island and more!

You can find more information about the tour here.

03 December 2018 - Twinning project "Support for Human Resources Management in Public Administration" to be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro, Human Resources Management Authority, HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management and the Ministry of Administration of Croatia, was launched in Podgorica on December 3. 

"We are launching this project at the moment when the Government of Montenegro is fully committed to public administration reform and when conditions for the reorganisation of public administration are created to create a modern, service-oriented administration. Our key goal is a satisfied citizen and services provided by professional and efficient civil servants," Minister of Public Administration Suzana Pribilović underlined at the launching of the project.